Synopsis:
Critical Role: Vox Machina – Kith & Kin follows a brand-new adventure that delves into the twin’s unexplored history, and returns to some of the iconic moments that forged Vox Machina’s most unbreakable bond.
Vex and Vax have always been outsiders. A harsh childhood in the elite elven city of Syngorn quickly taught them not to rely on others. Now, freed from the expectations of their exacting father and the scornful eyes of Syngorn’s elves, the cunning ranger and the conning rogue have made their own way in the world of Exandria.
The twins have traveled far and experienced great hardship. But with the help of Vex’s quick wit and Vax’s quicker dagger, they’ve always kept ahead of trouble. Now, unknown perils await them in the bustling city of Westruun, where the twins become entangled in a web spun by the thieves’ guild known to many as the Clasp. Trapped by a hasty deal, Vex and Vax (along with Vex’s faithful bear companion, Trinket) set out into the wilds to fulfill their debt to the infamous crime syndicate.
As the situation grows more complicated than they ever could have imagined, for the first time Vex and Vax find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict that threatens the home they have carried with each other for years.
Review:
I’ve finally gotten around to reading Kith & Kin (and the Critical Role novels in general). I wasn’t sure which format I wanted to read this in. I have the physical book and the audiobook so I did a little of both. Sometimes while listening I’d have the book open and would follow along, which isn’t something I’ve ever done before. But I’d definitely do it again. It really helped me focus.
Not that I ever lost my focus on this book. The performance for Kith & Kith is a solid five stars, which of course it is, they’re all voice actors. I loved that Robbie Daymond did the main narration but Liam O’Brien and Laura Bailey would voice Vax and Vex. It makes complete sense that they’d do the book in this way and it was great. I couldn’t imagine anyone else voicing them. Also, Robbie’s audiobook performances are always incredible.
Obviously reading a book about characters that you know will be ok does take away a lot of the tension in the big fighting scenes, however I’m always up for learning more about the characters I love. I don’t think this book was written with non Critical Role fans in mind, but I do think they could still enjoy it. However, this does mean my review is hard to write as I love this world so much so I pretty much love everything Critical Role releases. You can tell the cast have such a huge part in everything they release so it’s not like I can say ‘this wasn’t great because Vex wouldn’t act like that’. You know?
I do think you could read Kith & Kin if you don’t know anything about the characters or world. The flashback scenes, of which most I already knew about because of the show, provide a lot of background and show how Vex and Vax have come to be where they are. I’d say these would be enough for anyone to enjoy this as purely just a fantasy novel, but as someone that is a huge fan of Critical Role, it’s difficult to view this as anything but a Critical Role novel.
But still, I am giving this a very decent four stars. I’m not sure why I don’t think it’s worth five stars. Probably because while the plot was interesting, it felt like something was missing. Overall though, Kith & Kin is very well written and an entertaining read. Sorry I don’t have much more to say than that.
Check out Young Creative Press on all socials
You can also check out my StoryGraph here
Like this post? Why not read this one too: Book Review: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
[…] Like this post? Why not read this one too: Audiobook Review: Vox Machina—Kith & Kin by Marieke Nijkamp […]